Vinson Massif: Hahn & Team Summit!
We went for it today. The weather was greatly improved. The clouds were gone, but there were still dust devils of snow twisting off the ridges as we watched from high camp. Obviously, we hoped for a calming trend as the day went on. One of our climbers stayed in camp, satisfied with yesterday's effort. This worked out as there were two ALE "rangers" also in camp along with a guided group taking a rest day. The rest of us set out at 10:37 AM. We were in still air for the first hour, but then we went through a few gusty portions of the route for several hours. The fact that the winds weren't sustained didn't mean they were any warmer. We bundled up pretty good in down coats and pants and tried hard to keep our faces from freezing. By about 15,000 ft, we'd reached a calm area, which was a great relief as the mountain was getting tough to climb even without a distracting wind. Most were working quite hard to compensate for the lack of oxygen and the steepening snow and ice. As we worked our way out the 16,000 ft summit ridge, we found the wind again. This made it tough to enjoy the view of the Ellsworth Mountains spread for two hundred miles around and below us. We walked onto the mountain top at 10 minutes to 6 PM. Excited, but also very much on our guard against frostbite. We took a bare minimum of pictures, did quick but heartfelt hugs, handshakes and high fives, and then beat feet out of there. We were safely back in high camp by 8:45 PM.
Best,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
On The Map
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Comments (25)
Congratulations to everyone. Greg, we toasted you a couple of times on Sat night. Safe trip back buddy.
Kim
Posted by: Kim Morgan on
Congrats Greg!! So happy & excited for you! Safe travels home ;)
Kel
Posted by: Kelly on
Awesomely bagged, Greg. Now enjoy the thick air! e
Posted by: "Mrs. Martin" on
Greg- Congrats Dad!!!! This is amazing and we are so happy for u and proud of you!!
Come back safe!
Love you!
Nikki and Jek
Posted by: Angelica Barber on
I am very proud!
Posted by: Erik Robins on
I’d also like to give a shout out to Dave Hahn and JJ Justman for their expertise in keeping our loved ones safe and towing the line during this excursion. I know for my family members it was their leadership that encouraged them to sign up for this trip. So, Thank you and Happy Holidays!
Monica
Posted by: Monica Glasenapp on
Congratulations John, Greg and team! So nice to hear you summited and made back safe to camp. Have a safe return home! I can’t wait to see pics.
Posted by: Fatima Williamson on
Well done! So glad a summit attempt was possible. A huge accomplishment for all. Keep the focus and enjoy the descent to base camp. More warm thoughts for your trip home!
Hot showers, warm beds and drinks will be good. Looking forward to the stories and celebrating, G. Barber! Soon.
Posted by: Kerry on
Congrats to all! Great work. Look forward to hearing about it. Love to Chris!
Posted by: Liz Colleran on
If at second you do succeed. . . Congratulations, Dave and crew.
Posted by: Chuck Roberts on
Congrats Greg. Sounds like a tough go. Be safe on the way down. Uncle Dan (PS I drank all the rum)
Posted by: Uncle Dan on
Wahoo!! Well done, enjoy the accomplishment. Be safe on the way back.
Posted by: Keith on
Well done Bubba & team! Another major accomplishment for sure! We’ll have a celebratory pint for you at the party tonight. Stay safe, see you soon.
Posted by: RC on
Congratulations to all! Great accomplishment. Enjoy the trek down and the rest of your time there. Looking to forward to seeing photos and hearing all about it.
C Mac Family
Posted by: Charles Macfarlane on
Dave, JJ and Team -
Way to go! Too bad about the wind but at least you got the view. Better than when I was there last year and we were inside the ping pong ball at the summit. Have a safe descent. I’m looking forward to being with you guys on Everest.
-Larry Seaton
Posted by: Larry Seaton on
Congrats. What an exciting day. Well done! Can’t wait to hear all about it, and to get you home. Please be safe on the trip down. Love and hugs to John.
Posted by: Dudley on
Congratulations to all. Glad the weather didn’t hold you up too much. Now you can start dreaming about home fires burning and warmer temps. Safe travels on the trek back.
Can’t wait to see you, Pierre. xoxo, Bonny
Posted by: Bonny Rogers on
Congratulations all! Can’t imagine the beauty…and hard work to get there. Love to Chris! Mom
Posted by: Carol Colleran on
Amazing feat. Can’t wait to hear stories and see pictures. Stairs are waiting for Haldis back home.
Posted by: Sue R. on
Congrats!!! Can’t wait to hear all about it! Love to Chris.
Posted by: Kim Hulse on
Awesome!!!!! Congratulations on an amazing feat! Can’t wait to see pictures, Haldis!
Best wishes for the rest of your trip!
Posted by: Kristin H. on
CONGRATULATIONS! Wish the weather had been better for you. Kind of a shame to make it and then not be able to really enjoy the view. Oh well, guess you can try again tomorrow eh? Just kidding! Hope everyone is feeling good and have a safe trek back down and home! Tom, this news will be a great Birthday gift for mom tomorrow! Hope you and Haldis enjoy the rest of your time there.
- Monica
Posted by: Monica Glasenapp on
Congratulations! What an accomplishment! You all should be very proud!! Hugs to Haldis and Tom and everyone on the team!
Posted by: Cathie Robins on
Greg .Congrats team, you made summit though sounds like it was a tough challenge. Now just come home safely. Looking forward to hearing more. Keep warm. Mom and dad
Posted by: Dawn on
Nice! Very excited to hear that all who pushed for summit made it safely there and back. An amazing accomplishment. Hope you all have a nice rest day tomorrow followed by a smooth trek back to base camp. There will be warm soft beds, hot showers and celebratory drinks to enjoy soon.
Can’t wait for the pictures Barber. See you soon.
Posted by: Kat on